FINANCIAL AID

Tim Wolfe, Director
Financial Aid Office, 240-895-3000

St. Mary's College Office of Financial Aid believes that no qualified student should be denied the right to pursue an education because of inadequate financial resources.   In recognition of students' and families' financial concerns, our financial aid program is designed to make St. Mary's affordable to those students who are admitted.

Although we believe it is primarily the responsibility of the parents and student to finance a college education, we are available to help bridge the gap between family resources and need.  The College offers a variety of federal, state, and campus-based programs, including a tuition payment plan to help you finance a St. Mary's education.   
To apply for need-based aid, students should follow these steps:

1. Apply for admission to St. Mary's College of Maryland.
2. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
3. For those who qualify for special program benefits (VA, disabilities, etc.), the appropriate agency should be contacted.
4. Thoroughly investigate organizations, churches, businesses, and industries for availability of scholarships.

Need-Based Aid

All students who are accepted to the College and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are automatically considered for federal, state, and College financial assistance programs.  To be eligible for need-based aid, students must file the FAFSA prior to March 1.  Filing after March 1 removes you from consideration for certain Maryland aid programs and jeopardizes the availability of aid from St. Mary's.  Students applying for admission to the spring term must file by November 15.  Be sure to designate St. Mary's College to receive the FAFSA information by using our Title IV code: 002095.

Merit Awards (Scholarships)

Merit Awards recognize academic achievement and significant co-curricular accomplishments outside of the classroom and are given on a competitive basis without regard to financial need. All applicants are reviewed for scholarship by the Scholarship Review Committee with consideration in the areas of academic record, standardized test scores, strength of curriculum, essay, recommendations, and co-curricular activities. St. Mary’s does not use set formulas for determining merit awards. Each student applicant is considered as an individual by the Scholarship Review Committee. The examples of academic excellence in the descriptions are general guidelines used by the committee. So that St. Mary’s can recognize the accomplishments of as many students as possible, scholarship offers from St. Mary’s will not exceed the value of in-state tuition. Tuition waivers are scholarships and count towards this limit. Scholarships from outside sources do not count, nor do need-based grants from St. Mary’s or other sources. Recipients of merit awards have challenged themselves with a rigorous course of study that often includes Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or honors courses. Awards are based primarily on academic achievement. A few awards are designated for students from certain geographical areas or for those pursuing a particular major. Awards are renewed for up to four consecutive years of full-time study at St. Mary’s (two years for transfer students) as long as the student remains in good standing and maintains at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in each semester.

St. Mary’s Academic Achievement Awards

These are given for outstanding academic achievement in the amount of $3,000 to the equivalent of in-state tuition. Academic excellence often is demonstrated by a class rank in the top 10%, a cumulative GPA above 3.5 in academic courses (3.8 weighted GPA), or an SATI score above 1300.

Paul H. Nitze Scholars Program Awards

Each year St. Mary’s admits about 14 entering students into the Paul H. Nitze Scholars Program. In addition, several students completing their first year of study at St. Mary’s are invited to become Nitze Scholars. Nitze Scholars have demonstrated commitment to the liberal arts and sciences through outstanding academic success, and a commitment to the improvement of society through leadership and service. Each scholar receives $3,000 per year in addition to any other merit awards, renewed for up to four consecutive years of participation in the program. Application is by invitation of the Nitze Scholars Committee, administered by the faculty at St. Mary’s. (Contact Dr. Michael Taber, mstaber@smcm.edu, for more information.)

Presidential Merit Awards

These are given for academic achievement and impressive co-curricular accomplishments in the amount of $500 to $2,000 per year. Academic excellence often is demonstrated by a class rank in the top 25%, a cumulative GPA above 3.2 in academic courses (3.5 weighted GPA), or an SATI score above 1250. Candidates must also demonstrate significant achievement in co-curricular activities. Examples of such activities include art, communications and media, community service, creative writing, debate/forensics, Eagle Scout or Gold Award, internship and employment experiences, environmental service clubs, math and science fairs and competitions, Model United Nations, music, peer mentoring, student government, theater, or YMCA/YWCA. (Students may not receive both a St. Mary’s Achievement Award and a Presidential Merit Award.)

St. Mary’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship

Students who earn an IB diploma or multiple IB certificates with outstanding academic records are considered for this scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to $3,000.

CollegeBound Partnership Scholarships

These scholarships are matching awards to students from Baltimore public high schools who receive scholarships or grants from the CollegeBound Foundation.

Phi Theta Kappa Awards

All transfer students who enter St. Mary’s with an A.A. or A.S. degree, a GPA of 3.5 or better, and who are members in good standing of Phi Theta Kappa receive this award in the amount of $1,000 to $4,000.

St. Mary’s Transfer Scholarships

Awarded on a competitive basis to transfer students with outstanding academic records at another college. Academic excellence can be demonstrated by a cumulative GPA above 3.5 in academic courses and a rigorous course of study. Awards range from $500 to $4,000 per year.

1. Scholarships and grants that are not to be repaid;
2. Employment in the Federal College Work/Study Program;
3. Low-interest-rate federal loans which must be repaid.

Financial aid funds come from several sources:

1. Federal funds such as Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal College Work/Study Program, and Federal Perkins loans.
2. State funds such as state scholarships and legislative scholarships.
3. College funds such as merit scholarships 
4. Private sources such as churches, community organizations, businesses, employers, historical societies, and other outside groups.
5. Banks that handle low-interest-rate loans.
6. Special benefit programs such as Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance.  (For more information about VA assistance, contact Carol Ridgell in the Registrar’s Office, Anne Arundel 101, 240-895-4336.)